B6 - Bringing it Home - GN-Bruins pull away in the third and put away Past Times 9-4 for B League crown

Shaking off a sluggish, tenative start, the GN-Bruins broke open a nip-tuck contest with four goals in the third to cap their near perfect fall B League campaign with a championship. The game started ominously for the Bruins. Sloppy defensive zone play led to an early 2-0 first period deficit and save for some stellar netminding from Mike Anderson the score would have been dire. As the Bruins struggled under heavy Past Times pressure, Anderson made several big stops including a critical breakaway glove stab. The high-powered Bruin offense finally found traction late in the first. As in its prior two playoff wins, the Bruins offense was sparked by the diverse play of B League MVP Vinnie Kelly. Kelly assisted on four of the Bruins first 7 goals - the first off a deep offensive zone forecheck, the second from a one-handed pass while wearing a defenseman, the third emerging from a blind behind-the-back pass after drawing both defensemen, and the fourth on a one-timed touch pass. Cory Green and Kevin Faraci each finished twice, the direct result of Kelly's effort. Darren Seid scored twice in the third to polish the hardware.

Jeremy Taubes' clanged a onetimer off the far right post to capitalize on a gritty Darren Seid face-off win with 2:55 remaining to complete the GN-Bruins' third period comeback against the Klash. The Klash scored twice in 20 seconds early in the third to stun the Bruins and position themselves for a startling upset win. Facing a third period deficit for only the second time all season, the Bruins ventured into unfamiliar territory. But, by showing poise and patience, they steadily pressured the veteran Klash squad biding for a critical breakdown. The pivotal break came with 6:24 remaining when the Bruins seized a defensive zone turnover and converted it into a Kevin Faraci onetimer that eluded Klash goaltender Ruben Santana. Santana, who played Hasekian throughout, singlehandedly stemmed the Bruins late pressure but ultimately could not sight (through a dense screen) the decisive Taubes tally.

Leaving no doubt who rules C League, the Saints contained Tremblays Pub high powered offense en route to their first Long Island Cup title. The Saints exploded for five second period goals in nine minutes to break open a tight 1-1 game. The key moment during this stretch came when the Saints took a four minute penalty at 6:15 clinging to 3-2 lead. On this climatic penalty kill, the Saints repeatedly disrupted Tremblays powerplay. Tremblays subsequently became rushed and fatally committed several momentous turnovers. The first came when Joe Stuckey intercepted a naked point-to-point pass that spurred his scoring break-in. The second came when Chris Viscusi seized upon some negligent backchecking that exposed the Tremblay goalie handling the puck by himself behind his net. Vicusi, who inexplicably was first player to get to the goal line, turned the puck over and easily wrapped around into an empty net. Finally, just as the penalty expired, C League MVP Mike Bilbao converted a 2-on-1 break that originated off an ill-advised blueline pinch. In the three Saints wins, Bilbao scored seven times, with his most important effort coming in the comeback Phantoms win.

Winner's Bracket

C4 - LI-Saints pilfer Phantoms-LCF 5-3

Behind four unanswered third period goals, the LI-Saints roared past a shaken Phantoms-LCF to advance to their first championship game. Despite outshooting the Phantoms 33-19 through the first two, the Saints trailed 3-1. Phantoms goalie Chris Derose was spectacular with several acrobatic stops. In the third, the Phantoms defense, however, crumbled under the Saints onslaught. Saints continued to pressure and finally broke Derose as Mike Bilbao scored his second of three at 6:51 left to open the floodgates. Three more quickly followed, and the Phantoms were to face more playoff demons.

C2 - LI-Saints drub Tremblays Pub 14-5

Firing on all cyclinders, the LI-Saints bombarded an undermanned Tremblays Pub from the drop. The Saints hailed 60 shots including an unrelenting 27 in the second period. As it was, Tremblays managed to hang tough through two periods, trailing 8-4 heading into the final stanza. Mike Bilbao's hat trick led the Saints scoring brigade

C1 - Phantoms-LCF thump Brew Crew 8-2

In somewhat surprising fashion, the Phantoms-LCF comfortably handled a listless Brew Crew 8-2. The Phantoms established control midway through the first, building from some stellar work by goaltender Chris Derose. The Lagnese boys, Adam and Jason, each scored twice to pace a Phantoms offense that applied steady pressure throughout.

Loser's Bracket

C5 - Tremblays Pub outguns Phantoms-LCF 10-8

Scoring three consecutive times in the third, Casey Tremblay led Tremblays Pub past the Phantoms-LCF in this run-and-gun scorefest. This contest headed into the third tied 6-6. Matt Crafa broke the deadlock a minute and change into the third before Tremblay busted it open with his natural hat trick. In all, Tremblay had five with Blake Joos also wearing a hat and Crafa scoring twice.

Craig Manfredonia's powerplay slapsot from the point, with just 2:43 remaining, gave Tremblays their first and only lead en route to a 8-6 win. Tremblays played on the brink all night as they fell behind six different times. But, each time they trailed they rallied to tie. Casey Tremblay with four and David Joos with three did all the scoring, besides the decisive Manfredonia gamewinner. With this win, Tremblays remarkably eliminated the first place Brew Crew in the two game minimum.

Wildcard

C0 - Phantoms-LCF wear down undermanned Grizzlies squad 9-2

Adam Lagnese scored four times as the Phantoms opened it up in the second and crusied to their wildcard victory. The Grizzlies had the better chances during the first, but their failure to capitalize proved vital. Chris Reinhart added two for the victors.

In a playoff classic, the Red Wings scored twice in the third to rally past the Court Officers and defend their D1 fall crown. Dennis Demille provided the gamewinner midway through the final period, when he lasered the biscuit just under the crossbar with 8:46 remaining. His winning tally came just three minutes after John Puswald tied the game. Puswald seized a loose, neutral zone puck, broke in alone, and worked the tying shot through a defenseman screen. In this game of high intensity and drama, the championship key was the goaltending play of D1 MVP Carl Guarino. The Court Officers pressured the Wings relentlessly, firing 46 shots at Guarino. Throughout this fury, Guarino remain steady and focused. His play was textbook with his positioning supreme. He was often a beat ahead, which enabled him to simply absorb the puck. After failing behind 3-2, the Officers frantically buzzed the Wings end. Twice they earned powerplays (one a four minute advantage) but, ultimately, they could not best Guarino before the clock, and season, ran out.

Winner's Bracket

D4 - Red Wings survive Scorpions 5-3

On the strength of pivotal six minute, second period stretch, the Red Wings evaded "Cinderella's" sting. Scoring three times during this key stretch, the Red Wings reversed a 2-1 deficit and provided just enough to fend off the Scorps. The scrappy Scorpions pressured in the waning moments and closed to one with six minutes to go, but they ultimately could not net the tying goal. Brian Pellingrino had two goals to pace the Wings and Larry Jordan had two for the Scorpions.

D2 - Red Wings run over LI-Stars 6-0

The Red Wings jumped on the Stars early and never let up in cruising to their 6-0 win. Sean Considene and Brian Pelligrino each scored twice to pace the Red Wing attack. The Wings frustrated the Stars throughout, limiting them to few true scoring opportunities.

D1 - Scorpions stagger Court Officers 5-4

Scoring with just 33 seconds remaining in regulation, the Scorpions broke a 4-4 tie and stunned the top-seeded Court Officers. An unattended Larry Jordan was 'johnny-on-the-spot' as he onetimed a loose rebound for the winning tally. Jordan goal, his third, capped a spirited Scorpion effort which saw them take a 4-1 lead four minutes into the second.

Loser's Bracket

D5 - Court Officers eradicate Scorpions 4-1

Continuing their long climb back, the Court Officers put forth another inspired effort to push past the scrappy Scorpions 4-1. Four different players scored as the Officers again grabbed an early lead that they would not relinquish. The Scorpions hung tough throughout but were denied on several golden opportunities in the third.

D3 - Court Officers extinguish LI-Stars 7-1

Bouncing back with a focus missing in their previous game, the Court Officers manhandled the lethargic LI-Stars to set their long course back. The Officers dominated the offensive zone, as steady pressure and determination yielded numerous scoring opportunities. Joe Rao and Bryan Zash each scored twice for the victors.

Wildcard

D0 - Scorpions snuff Black Stars 4-3 in OT

Tom O'Keefe's onteimer six minutes into overtime advanced the Scorpions past the Black Stars in a fast-paced, well-played wildcard game. O'Keefe finished a laser pass from Dale Lewis which sprung from a 4-on-2 rush. The Scorpions survived an overtime penalty kill, during which goalie Chris Lattanzio made two game saving stops, one with his skate blade. Cliff Prevete scored twice for the Scorps, and George Labos scored twice for the Stars.

Hanging on by their teeth, toes and fingernails, the Spectres withstood a fierce Inn Between blitz to capture the D2 championship 3-2. The Spectres built a seemingly substantial three goal mid-second lead when David Willenbruch went five hole for his second of the game. The Inn Between, however, would not go quietly. In a stunning reversal of play, they proceeded to throw the kitchen sink and all other household appliances at the Spectre net. Playing with the urgency becoming a team on the brink, the Inn Between frantically pressured. Unforgettably for them, Spectre goalie, D2 MVP John Viscusi refused to yield. With much of the remaining play in the Spectre end, Viscusi was, at times, out-of-body. He made saves while prone. He made saves without his stick. He made saves with a poke check. He made saves with a dive. Shots came from the point. Shots came from the slot. Shots came rabid fire. Shots came labeled. In all, the Inn Between showered 34 shots in the final two periods and Viscusi denied all but two. With this win, the Spectres defended their first D2 fall championship, won last year.

Winner's Bracket

DD4 - Spectres spook Inn Between 3-1

Behind three second period goals, the Spectres played stingy in their defense zone and advanced to the D2 championship game. In the second, Dave Willenbruch scored twice and assisted on another Rob McIntosh goal to provide all the scoring the Spectres would need. Only an early third period goal blemished the Spectres solid defensive work.

DD2 - Spectres jolt Hex-D 3-2

Taking advantage of a sluggish Hex squad, the Spectres score early and never relinquish the lead en route to their 3-2 win. Rob McIntosh scored twice and assisted on the other, as the Spectres built a 3-1 lead through two. They limited scoring chances throughout and fended off a little-too-late Hex rally.

DD1 - Inn Between cruise by Crush 7-1

Finding their bearings mid-game, the Inn Between shook loose from the Crush 7-1. The game was essentially decided in the final four minutes of the second, when the Inn Between exploded for four goals. Joe Marinello and Jim Tullo each scored twice for the victors.

Loser's Bracket

DD5 - Inn Between vex Hex-D 5-2

Playing with focus and purpose, Inn Between neutralized the young legs of the Hex and advanced 5-2. The key to victory was the Inn Between's play in the middle of ice, where they consistently disrupted the Hex rush attempts. Their neutral zone work resulted in turnovers from which they converted some into red lights. Ryan Southworth and Matt Stoja each scored twice for winners.

DD3 - Hex-D bewitch Crush 5-3

Scoring three shorthanded goals, the Hex struggled to put away a pesky Crush team 5-3. Mike Caira scored three and Jimmy Roventini two, as the Hex peppered 43 shots on Crush goalie Matt Stasi. The Hex patiently worked a three goal lead by the middle third and quelled a mild Crush rally the rest of the way.

Wildcard

DDw2 - Crush rally past Stalkers 4-3 behind Chetirko's three

Pat Chetirko scored three times to lead the Crush to a comeback 4-3 win over the Stalkers. The Crush spotted the Stalkers a 2-0 first period lead before exploding for fourteen shots and three goals in the second. Chetirko third tally proved the difference as he broke the deadlock with just over three minutes remaining in the match. Brett Halpern scored all three Stalkers goals.

DDw1 - Spectres impound Rabid Dawgs 5-1

Two James McIntosh powerplay goals, two and half minutes apart early in the third, broke a 1-1 deadlock to send the Spectres into the winner's bracket. After McIntosh's goals, the Spectres played lockdown defense and limited the Dawgs to just four third period shots.

In a playoff thriller, Joe Cimino scored a little more than four minutes into overtime to deliver PLT their second Long Island Cup. Cimino's winning tally eluded a committed Bulls goaltender after his shot deflected off a defenseman's stick changing the puck's pace. PLT never trailed in this spirited affair, which saw the Raging Bulls rally three times to tie, the last with just 4:23 remaining in the game. In overtime, PLT got the best of the play with several sustained pressures. The Bulls, who dodged several near misses, struggled to muster any puck command in the extra session. PLT continued to attack and climatically drank victory when Cimino streaked down the left side and unleashed his championship shot. PLT's attack was again sparked by E League MVP Joe Capobianco. Capobianco, who scored in each PLT's three playoff contests (six in total), started the scoring when he connected at 7:41 of the first.

Winner's Bracket

E2 - PLT clips Cyclones-E 5-4 in overtime

Pulling one out of the fire, Evan Boris' onetimer at 4:15 of overtime propelled PLT into the E league championship round. PLT forced the extra session with only 59 seconds remaining in regulation, when Joe Cimino finished a nice feed from Jason Kule. PLT trailed four different times during this match. Joe Capobianco had a natural hat trick for PLT with each of his goals proving a tying goal.

E1 - PLT stymie the Raging Bulls 3-0

Joe Capobianco scored twice to lead PLT past the Raging Bulls 3-0. PLT utilized a poised offensive to pounce on some inopportune Bulls defensive breakdowns. They also flashed some timely goaltending from Matt Marsecano that frustrated the Bulls throughout the match.

Loser's Bracket

E3 - Raging Bulls gore Cyclones-E 5-3

Scoring three times in the first, the Raging Bulls never trailed in dismissing the first place Cyclones-E 5-3. The Cyclones could not muster much of a comeback and got no closer than two during the last two periods. Chris Papa scored twice with Anthony Antoldi and Frank Ciffulo each adding one and a helper to pace the Bulls offense.

Wildcard

E0 - Raging Bulls whammy Hex-E 6-4

Anthony Antoldi scored four times and assisted on another to lead the Raging Bulls past the Hex 6-4. The Bulls had built a 5-1 lead by the middle of the second before the Hex tried to mount a comeback. They were, however, thwarted by the solid play of Bulls netminder Vinny Winsky, who made 29 saves in the game.

Playing perhaps their most thorough game of the season, the Pioneers completed the daunting back-to-back out of the loser bracket to shut down Primetime and capture the 3C League championship. Pioneer hockey is predicated on pressure; constant, unrelenting pressure. They score off of it, they defend off of it. In many ways, it's offense as defense. So when the chuck wagon boys grab an early lead it can be laborious to come back. Last night, the Pioneers scored three times in the first 10 minutes to establish an onerous 3-0 lead. Spearheading the early offense was 3C league MVP Dan Coffey. The versatile Coffey set up Warren Sackmen for the first goal and pounced on a loose rebound for the third Pioneer goal. Primetime, to their credit, looked up the mountain, began the heavy climb, and closed to 3-2 with 2:55 remaining in the second. At this point, momentum appeared to be switching benches. It only took a minute, however, for Coffey to sit it back down. Rushing hard up the left side, Coffey drew the attention of both Primetime defensemen and, from behind the goal line, slipped the biscuit to an unaccompanied Sackman, who teed it twice to drive it home. Three minutes later, Stan Cotek picked the top right corner on a breakaway to make it 5-2. Primetime would close to 5-3, but Brad Miller quickly answered with his second of the game, and the heavyset woman was arousing.

3C4 - Pioneers spurn 'not-ready-for' Primetime 5-2

Sparked by the return of the Captain, the Pioneers brought their hard hats, went to work, and served notice that the 3C championship is very much up-for-grabs. Skipper Warren Sackman had two with his second goal taking back control of a match that the Pioneers had firmly in hand to only let slip. After a high intensity start, the Pioneers unexplainably squandered a 2-0 lead. By late second, Primetime had gladly seized Uncle Mo and titlted the ice. It was at this point of 'oh no' that Sackman completely reversed the game's tenor when he stunned Primetime with just 16 ticks left in the second. Revived, the Pioneers exerted their will and owned the third, stretching the lead behind two Eddie Tsuker goals.

Winner's Bracket

3C2 - Primetime rebuff Pioneers 4-3

In a mostly languid match, Primetime's defense shone during "prime time" to hold off the Pioneers 4-3. Primetime killed six minutes of penalties in the final period, including the last two minutes of the game when they faced a 6-on-4. During the first four shorthanded minutes, the result of a double minor, Primetime's kill unit allowed but one shot to reach net. Off this kill, the teams traded goals to set up the climatic last minute penalty kill. Anthony Fiamma scored twice and Dale Lewis had the gamewinner and a helper for Primetime.

3C1 - Pioneers outdo Bulldogs 6-4

In a see-saw affair, Stan Cotek scored broke a 4-4 tie, with a little more than one to go, to propel the Pioneers past the Bulldogs 6-4. This tight game was tied five different times as each team twice came back to tie. Danny Coffey led the way for the Pioneers with a hat trick and Steve Anderson scored twice for the Bulldogs.

Loser's Bracket

3C3 - Pioneers punish Bulldogs 7-1

Busting open a close match early in the second, the Pioneers put the hurt on the Bulldogs 7-1. The Pioneers scored four times in the decisive second, three within the first minutes of the period. Glenn Baigent paced the Pioneers attack with a hat trick.

Wildcard

3C0 - Pioneers earn hardfought 2-0 win over Rangers

In their typical lunch pail style, the Pioneers scored both goals from putbacks deep in the slot to eliminate the Rangers 2-0. Defense ruled in this rugged match that saw Pioneer goalie Casey Carney make all the key saves in the third to preserve his shutout.

In one of the great HLI championship games, the Cougars sharply executed 50 minutes to snatch the 3D championship. Chris Biamonte scored 3:40 into overtime, when he eluded a pressing Sabres defensemen in the nuetral zone and broke-in unchecked to snap a five-hole winner. With the win, the Cougars startlingly resurrected from the previous thumping at the hands of the Sabres. This match started as a continuation of the Sabres dominance from the first title game. The Sabres scored less than three minutes in and continued to swarm the Cougars end for much of the period. Seemingly in a tenuous rope-a-dope, the Cougars bent, but most importantly, did not break. Buoyed by a resurgent performance between the pipes, Cougar netminder Terry Alyward stonewalled the Sabres and he did not, and he would not, allow another goal. But could the Cougars score? In the preceding game, the Cougars wanted for offense, never seriously scaring the Sabres net. This match started much the same. The Cougars craved a game changing play and 3D League MVP Mike Russell delivered late in the first. In one the great individual efforts, Russell outskated a Sabre to a loose neutral zone puck, deked a defenseman and, while being tripped up, chipped the tying goal past as he sprawled horizontal. Russell's goal invigerated the moribund Cougars, and for the remaining 35 pulsating minutes each team traded spine-tingling near misses, momentous defensive step-ups, and heart-stopping saves.

3D6 - Sabres swamp Cougars 6-1

In one near-perfect period, the Sabres overwhelmed the Cougars and coasted to a "game seven" 3D showdown. Five different Sabres scored in eight stunning minutes in a first period which saw the Sabres outshoot the Cougars 15-3. Jan Deguire finished up with two goals and one assist to pace the Sabres attack.

Winner's Bracket

3D4 - Cougars sneak past Sabres 5-4

Taking full advantage of their chances, the Cougars moved on with a close 5-4 win over the Sabres. Mike Russell provided the winning goal on a late powerplay slapshot with just under five to go. The Sabres, who outplayed the Cougars for chunks of the game, erased a 4-2 third period lead when Chris Brown scored twice within thirty seconds to tie the match at 4-4. The Sabres continued to press, but the Cougars held firm. Five different Cougars scored in the win.

3D2 - Sabres bruise Bucs 6-4

Building a 5-2 lead heading into the third, the Sabres held off the Bucs 6-4. The Bucs had closed to 5-4 with five minutes to go but Jimmy Moore's second goal, just a minute later, all but put the game on ice. Besides Moore's two, Will Kremmelbein had a hat trick for the Sabres.

3D1 - Off the Deck - Cougars thieve a 4-3 comeback win from the Bladerunners

Seemingly down and out, the Cougars staged a remarkable rally in the last four minutes to swipe what appeared to be a scintillating Bladerunner win. Vincent Ribortone provided the gamewinner with just 10 seconds remaining, capitalizing on a miscued clearing attempt that caught the Bladerunners awaiting overtime. Chris Biamonte sparked the Cougars comeback, when, with four to go, he somehow succeeded on a 1-on-2 break launching himself towards the net to put back his initial shot. Biamonte factored in all Cougars goals, scoring twice and helping on the other two. The Cougars startling win belied a strong Bladerunner effort, which saw them control much of the last two periods.

Loser's Bracket

3D5 - Sabres torment Bladerunners 4-3 in OT

Calling upon all of their vast championship pedigree, the Sabres pull one from the abyss in devastating the Bladerunners. Trailing 3-0 with 10 minutes to go, the Sabres scored three times in 8 minutes to force the portentous overtime. The Bladerunners, who up until this point had complete control of the game, went into a prevent defense, which for those in-the-know translates only to 'prevents you from winning'. Inexplicably, they abandonded their forceful, aggressive play and retreated into a defensive shell that only served to breathe life into a flagging Sabres crew. Jimmy Moore netted the overtime winner, 10 minutes into the extra session, off a goalmouth scrum where the puck somehow trodded its fateful path to the back of the net.

3D3 - Bladerunners bounce Bucs 6-0

Showing little aftereffect of their previous numbing loss, the Bladerunners continued their assertive play in easily dispatching the Bucs. The Bladerunners showered 15 shots in the first and 12 shots in the second to open a insurmountable 4-0 through two periods. Charlie Picciano potted a pair to pace the Bladerunner attack.

Wildcard

3D0 - Bladerunners escape the Blues 3-2 in overtime

Joe Cantalupo tipped home a Dom Giammarusco slapshot at 5:38 of overtime to sneak the Bladeunners past a game Blues squad. Cantalupo's gamewinner resulted from a sustained pin-in as the Blues could not clear their zone. The Blues carried a 2-1 lead into the third but could not hold it, as the Blades uncorked 26 shots in the last two periods.

Exorcising 16 years of championship futility, the Moose finally ascended the mountain and staked their place as Long Island Cup champions. The Moose played sharp and focused in coming out of the loser's bracket to earn two well-deserved, high intensity championship game wins. As is their want, however, the Moose played it right on the edge. Nursing a throat grabbing 2-1 lead in the third, the Moose took a late penalty to set-up a wild, dramatic last 84 seconds. With the Banshees frantically pressing, the Moose surmounted their ghosts of playoffs past with an impressive, collective display of denial and keep away. They repeatedly cleared their defensive zone and limited any real Banshee scoring threats. As the clock ticked to a wondrous no more, the ebullient Moose exploded off their bench to smother their tender, 3E League MVP Mike Mongiardo. Throughout the playoffs, Mongiardo was steady and stellar with his best work coming during the three elimination games. He made numerous sensational saves with none more impressive than the stop with roughly 5 minutes left in this playoff. Anticipating a flukey, behind-the-net ricochet Mongiardo slid across and flabbergasted an unattended, weakside Banshee who could only shake in disbelief. The teams had traded goals in the middle stanza when both capitalized on pressing, defensive mishaps. The championship winner and eventual dragonslayer came off the stick of Jay Hoffman, who buried a fortuitous rebound at 13:49 of the third.

3E6 - Moose deny Banshees 2-1

Joe LaChase's breakaway goal at 11:43 of the third proved the gamewinner as the Moose forced the dramatic winner-take-all championship game. Backboning the Moose throughout the game was netminder Mike Mongiardo. Mongiardo remained steady during the frenetic third period which saw the Moose kill six shorthanded minutes. The Banshees, on the verge of another Long Island Cup championship, mystifyingly played passive through most of this contest.

Winner's Bracket

3E4 - Banshees mar the Moose 5-1

After a scoreless first period, the Banshees methodically tamed the Moose with two in the second and three in the third. Netminder John Carlisi again backboned the Banshees effort with steadfast play between the pipes. Brian Goodovitch netted two and Brett Halper had a goal and two assists to lead the Banshees victory.

3E2 - Banshees corner Rats 4-0

Controlling the match from start to finish, the Banshees moved past the Rats 4-0. Scoring just 24 seconds in, the Banshees played steady defense to bottle up the Rats attack. Four different Banshees scored in the win.

3E1 - Moose squeak by Mustangs 3-2

In a closely played, gritty game, the Moose scored twice within 45 seconds late to overtake the upset-minded Mustangs 3-2. Marco Viola tied the match with 3:52 remaining and Andrew Mongiardo's second, on the powerplay, broke the tie 45 seconds later. Mustangs goalie Lou Orsi had stood tall for most of the third as he faced 13 shots, including two Moose breakaways with under six to go.

Loser's Bracket

3E5 - Moose corral Mustangs 5-3

In a rough and tumble affair, the Moose moved past the Mustangs to set up a rematch with the Banshees. The Moose built a 4-1 second period lead on Joe LaChance's second goal. The Mustangs closed to 4-3, but could not muster the tying goal as Moose goalie Mike Mongiardo made several dazzling stops to preserve the win.

3E3 - Mustangs exterminate Rats 6-5

Taking advantage of sluggish Rats start, the Mustangs jump out to a 3-1 first peirod lead and never relinquish it en route to a 6-5 win. The Mustangs built their lead to 6-3 by the middle of the third and then held off the Rats last gasp. Paul Skelton had a hat trick and Brian Kist the gamewinner for the Mustangs.

Wildcard

3E0 - Mustangs nip Napper Tandys 4-3 in OT

Rich Rosa's slapshot from the left point at 1:52 of overtime proved the gamewinner as the Mustangs advanced 4-3. Ken Classon cleanly won a face-off and drew back to Rosa to setup his decisive blast. Four different Mustangs scored in the win.